Lap-hook



(No Model.)

L. A. McDONALD.

LAP HOOK.

Patented Aug. 26, 1890.

0., msmmmw n c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS-ARNOLD MCDONALD, OF ROE, ARKANSAS.

LAP-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,151, dated August26, 1890.

Application filed January 15, 1890. Serial No. 337,012. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS ARNOLD MG- DONALD, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Roe, in the county of Monroe and State of Arkansas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lap-Hooks; and I dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to'which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in lap-hook or coupling links;and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafterdescribed, and definitely pointed out in the claim.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, easily adjusted,strong, and durable lap-l1ook. I attain this object by the constructionillustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in theseveral views, and in Wl1lOl1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of my hookopen. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the hook closed, and showing indotted line the elongation of the links. Fig. 3 is a cross-section.

In the drawings, A and B represent two links having one of their sidessevered or broken at or near the center thereof. These links arepreferably constructed of round and half cylindrical metal, and placed,when in their adjusted position for lockin g purpose, with their severalsides diagonally opposite each other.

To secure the links A and 13 together and permit of their being movedboth longitudinally and laterally, I secure a hinge-bar orconnecting-plate C to the unbroken side bars of the links, the ends ofthe plate being struck up and bent around the links in a manner whichpermits the latter to freely move therein, but at all times prevents anentire seven once of the respective links.

In operation the links are adjusted as shown in Fig. 1, and the link tobe applied is first passed around one hooked end, carried down, and thenpassed over the other hooked end of thelinks, respectively. They arethen forced down, so as to he one upon the other, and the link issecured permanently in place.

\Vhen it is desired to add to the length of the coupling-link, it isonly necessary to draw the respective links out in opposite directions,as shown in Fig. 2, thereby forming a double hook.

\Vhen the exposed surface of the links become worn, the links beingpivoted in the plate C may be drawn up and turned over, presenting theother face to the wear of the link. They can also be turned with theirsevered sides out to form a coupling for a double chain. They can alsobe turned with their severed sides in the same direction, the linksbeing held side by side. They can be also turned at right angles to eachother when necessity requires.

I am well aware that many minor changes may be made in the constructionand arrangement of my device and substituted for those herein shown anddescribed without in the least departing from the nature and principleof my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States, is-

As an improved article of manufacture, a lap-ring consisting of twolinks having their opposite sides severed or open, and a broadcross-bar, to which the links are pivotally secured, whereby they may belongitudinally adjusted, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS 'ARN OLD MCDONALD.

Witnesses:

FRANK BITTER, M. B. UMsTED.

